Yours to Keep [Import]

Albert Hammond Jr. | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 7, 2006)
• Original Release Date: 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Rough Trade
• ASIN: B000IFRXW0
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,553 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Cartoon Music for Superheroes

2. In Transit

3. Everyone Gets a Star

4. Bright Young Thing

5. Blue Skies

6. 101

7. Call an Ambulance

8. Scared

9. Holiday

10. Hard to Live in the City

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

If it took a solo album for Strokes guitarist Albert Hammond Jr. to make sure his songs were finally heard, file this one under "their loss" for those egocentric East Siders. The first in the group to make his own record, Hammond (son of the triumphant '70s singer and composer) comes up big, hammering out 10 songs brimming with beatific melodies ("Call an Ambulance"), sugary harmonies ("Scared"), and the same rampant guitar ("In Transit") that he wields with the big band. Though he recruits prominent pals Sean Lennon and Ben Kweller for the ride, it's unnecessary, as Hammond's voice--both capable and charmingly unkempt--is a step above the monotonous murmur of Strokes singer Julian Casablancas (who also appears). Hammond's far-reaching influences drift from AM pop to punk rock, but the mop-topped musician mostly keeps it close to the vest, blending shades of the Beach Boys ("Cartoon Music for Superheroes," complete with toy piano), John Lennon ("Blue Skies"), and the Pixies ("Back to the 101"). Now he just has to make sure his band gets a copy of the record. --Scott Holter

Product Description

Debut solo album from Albert Hammond Jr., guitarist with The Strokes (and son of THE Albert 'It Never Rains In Southern California' Hammond) Recorded in New York's Electric Lady Land studios together with Josh Lattanzi on bass and Matt Romano on drums. That basic trio has been augmented on various tracks by Julian Casablancas, Jody Porter (Fountains of Wayne), Ben Kweller, Sean Lennon, Mikki James, Sammy James Jr. and Ryan Gentles. The album was produced by Greg Lattimer who first came to attention as vocalist with New York's Thin Lizard Dawn in the late '90s. Rough Trade 10 trakcs.2006

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ear candy for the soul....that rocks, March 7, 2007

By 

Gavin Roberts (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Yours to Keep (Audio CD)

I dragged my wife to see Albert and company here in Portland OR, tempting her by telling her that he would surely play a Strokes tune or two. Well, by the end of the evening, the only non-original song played was a Frank Black ditty, and we never even noticed that every other song was off of his album.

My wife was so smitten, she made me buy the album yesterday - the first day in stores - to have on her iPod at work. His work is definitely more melodic and thoughtful than the Strokes. - (think sweet and sticky - but just enough to you keep you consuming, not caring that your teeth are rotting out of your head), yet there are enough Strokesy guitar riffs, staccato drum beats and rhythms that are just as difficult to shake out of your head as Strokes stand-bys "Someday", "Hard to Explain", "When it Started", "12:51", and "You Only Live Once".

While I don't take the 5 star rating lightly, this album will get plenty of play on my ipod as well and definitely deserves the stature that befits an outstanding solo debut - especially one that could easily be overshadowed or dismissed in favor of the genre defining Strokes.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will Surpass Your Expectations, December 10, 2006

By 

Lisa Burke (Connecticut) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Yours to Keep (Audio CD)

I thought this was an excellent album. I am a big Strokes fan, but don't expect Strokes songs. Hammond Jr. goes out in a completely different direction than his efforts with the Strokes, and I feel he succeeded in Yours to Keep. I'm glad it's being released in the U.S. and not just the UK or Europe, as I feel it's definitely worth introducing to a wide audience. The only reason I know about the album is from being hooked on the songs from the rare Strokes DVD "In Transit", with the soundtrack written by Mr. Hammond himself.

It's a simple, melodic album, that isn't trying to prove anything. Some nice harmonies and hooks. It's hard to explain what's so good about it, just because it is so unimposing - in a good way. But you'll have the choruses in your head all day. Hammond's voice is surprisingly good, too - here he sounds exceptionally tender.

I also enjoyed the cameo from Sean Lennon in "Scared" [Julian Casablancas is also featured on this song, but you can barely hear him, although it's fun to try]. My personal favorites are "In Transit", "Everyone Gets a Star", "Hard to Live in the City" and "Scared".

The only complaint I have is the production is a little shoddy; once again I wonder why someone who has done time in a mega successful band didn't have the cash to fund a side project!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Free from the world, March 30, 2007

By 

E. A Solinas "ea_solinas" (MD USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Yours to Keep (Audio CD)

Albert Hammond Jr. is best known as as a valuable member of the Strokes. But don't let that influence your expectations for his solo debut "Yours To Keep." On his own, Hammond turns out a totally different album: a shimmering, creative little pop collection that dips into lean rock'n'roll and vintage sunny pop.

It starts on a note that's very Beach Boys -- sunny, psychedelic-edged, and slightly sleepy. "Goodnight, I said to you goodnight/Dream of all the impossible/And you wake you see/That all these dreams aren't fake/They're real/Not impossible," Hammond croons in a slightly sleepy voice.

All that changes with "In Transit," the most Strokesian of all the songs -- a peppy, uptempo guitar number with slightly rebellious lyrics. But with "Bright Young Things," the style switches back to a circling guitar melody and a sunny musical edge, some folksy ballads, catchy rockers that bloom into peppy pop, toe-tapping acoustic plucks, and ringing songs about vacations in Jamaica.

Despite the variety of styles, Hammond actually does a pretty good job keeping a signature "sound" in these songs -- something a bit happier and slightly wistful than the Strokes. It does have a bit of a split personality, between rock and sunny pop, but I suspect it's something that Hammond will iron out in future albums.

The music has plenty of guitar -- both acoustic and bass -- both in lean sinewy riffs and in circling melodies. But Hammond and a variety of musicians (including Sean Lennon, Julian Casablancas, Ben Kweller, and Sammy James Jr) wrap the songs in a thin layer of other instruments -- tinkly melodica, ukelele, rippling keyboard, and some brass. There's even whistling at one point.

Hammond's voice is kind of scratchy, but it's still pretty pleasant to the ear. And he throws a lot of passion into his singing, whether it's a murmury croon or a belt-out wail. "And you will only hold me/If I will never tell you it would end/And you will never have me/Cause you were only wanting to be friends/And you will always hold out till he gave out."

"Yours To Keep" is a triumph for Hammond -- a solid, shimmering album that straddles between pop and rock. Definitely a good listen, but not for people seeking another Strokes album.